Dye tube for compressive packaged dyeing

ABSTRACT

A plastic tube with yarn wound thereon which is collapsible longitudinally for compressive dyeing of the yarn, the tube having a plurality of axially spaced solid rings with aligned web members between each of the rings, each web member consisting of a part having a V-shaped configuration which is substantially rigid, the apex of such part joining with a U-shaped yieldable further part which has its legs connected to the next adjacent ring, such legs converging relative to each other at an angle of about 10*. When the tube is axially compressed, the apex of the V-shaped part is moved towards the adjacent ring and the legs of the yieldable part are bowed - one on each side of the V-shaped part - whereby the tube is compressible to about one-half its original height.

United States Patent 11 1 Frank et al.

1 1 Dec. 30, 1975 DYE TUBE FOR COMPRESSIVE PACKAGED DYEING [22] Filed:Feb. 18, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 550,732

3,756,532 9/1973 Draper 242/1 18.11 3,759,461 9/1973 Draper 242/1 18.113,827,652 8/1974 Burchette, Jr. 242/1 18.11

Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mason,Mason & Albright [57] ABSTRACT A plastic tube with yarn wound thereonwhich is collapsible longitudinally for compressive dyeing of the yarn,the tube having a plurality of axially spaced solid rings with alignedweb members between each of the rings, each web member consisting of apart having a V-shaped configuration which is substantially rigid, theapex of such part joining with a U-shaped yieldable further part whichhas its legs connected to the next adjacent ring, such legs convergingrelative to each other at an angle of about 10. When the tube is axiallycompressed, the apex of the V-shaped part is moved towards the adjacentring and the legs of the yieldable part are bowed one on each side ofthe V-shaped part whereby the tube is compressible to about one-half itsoriginal height.

17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US, Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 2 of23,929,301

DYE TUBE FOR COMPRESSIVE PACKAGED DYEING I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the art of winding and dyeing of textile yarn, it is known to useplastic tubes which are yieldable longitudinally in the dyeing operationwherein yarn wound on such tubes is compressed within a container beforereceiving the dye. The plastic type tubes are generally disposable and aconsiderable portion of their surface must be opened in order to permitthe flow of dye into the yarn. Prior to the dyeing operation, the yarnis wound upon such tubes and after the yarn has been dyed, the tubes areagain used for supporting the yarn as it is unwound therefrom. Examplesof plastic textile tubes of the type involved may be found disclosed inthe following U.S. Pat. Nos: 3,561,697, 3,563,491, 3,718,287 3,753,534,3,756,531, 3,756,532 and 3,759,461.

Plastic tubes of the type involved on the market today may presentcertain problems. Thus, it is often necessary that the tubes beprewrapped in filter paper in order to ensure that yarn is not caughtwhen yarn is wound thereon or subsequently when unwound whereby a lossof same may occur. At present, losses of about 1% percent average are tobe anticipated. An other problem is that the tube may not collapse in aneven manner and thus thereafter is not received correctly on an arborfor unwinding. The amount that a tube of the type involved is capable ofcollapsing is also an important characteristic of such tubes. Ingeneral, the more that the tube is capable of collapsing the better,inasmuch as more yarn is capable of being dyed in a single operation andthe density of the yarn ungoing such dyeing operations is more uniformfor a better result. Another problem encountered with plastic tubes fortextile yarn is that they may have a tendency to screw themselves off ofan arbor either when being wound or unwound and are notgenerally'adaptable to high speed winding above 900 yards per minute.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a plastic tube whichis adapted to undergo compressive packaged dyeing and more particularlyto a tube of this type which undergoes longitudinal compression whileits radial dimensions remain substantially constant.

Essentially the invention is directed to a plastic tube of the typediscussed above which, when compressed during the dyeing operation,undergoes a compression which is guided or directed in its nature. Asubstantial compression of up to almost one-half of the original heightof the tube is possible and the tube either in its non-compressed orcompressed condition is resistant to twisting. During winding orunwinding yarn on the tube in accordance with the invention, because ofthe configuration of the tube and the webs which permit the compression,the catching of the yarn in the tube is unlikely. This, in turn, permitsthe use of tubes in accordance with the invention without the necessityof wrapping same with filter paper. The openings of the tube aresufficient to ensure that an ample amount of the dyeing fluid isuniformly received throughout the yarn. Moreover, when the compressionof the tube takes place, it occurs in a uniform manner and due to thischaracteristic and the fact that the tube is resistant to a twistingforce, it does not have a tendency to un- 2 screw itself from winding orunwinding arbors and thus is capable of winding speeds up to and inexcess of 1100 yards per minute. At the same time the average loss ofyarn on a tube in accordance with the invention is substantially reducedfrom the present 1% percent average.

A tube with the above described characteristics and advantages is theprimary object of the instant invention. However, other objects,adaptabilities and capabilities will be recognized by those skilled inthe art as the description progresses, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings,in which:

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a tubein accordance with the instant invention in its uncompressed condition;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on lines 2 2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the same tube as shown in FIG. 1 in its axially compressedstate and FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a typical web withdimensions indicated provided between successive rings of the tube in anuncompressed condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The tube designated generally byreference numeral 10 is preferably made of a thermal plastic syntheticresin. It will be noted that it is provided with a plurality of interiorsolid rings 11 and somewhat larger end rings 12, the rings 11 and 12being joined with a plurality of aligned webs each designated byreference numeral 14. It will be noted that eight webs are providedbetween adjacent rings 11 and 11 and] 12. Each web 14 comprises aV-shaped substantially rigid part 15 which has a triangular opening 16and which joins about midway between the corresponding rings 11 or 11and 12 with a yieldable U-shaped part 17 which includes a pair of legs20 and 21. In the central portion of the U-shaped part 17 an apexportion 22 of the V-shaped part 15 is provided which is curved with thelegs 20 and 21 being bowed outwardly in either direction therefrom andalso somewhat upwardly. As shown in FIG. 3, when the tube 10 iscompressed, the U-shaped part 17 is deformed whereby it is W-shaped withthe apex 22 touching or near the adjacent ring 11 or 112.

It will be understood that the V-shaped parts 15 not only aresubstantially rigid but also assist in providing rigidity to the rings11 and 12. In addition, with the legs 20 and 21 in the position shown inFIG. 3, any tendency of the tube 10 to twist on an arbor while beingwound or unwound is definitely resisted.

As may be seen with reference to FIG. 2, the outer surfaces of the webs14 coincide with the rings 11 and 12 and their disposition is such thatthere is an avoidance of catching yarn in the various openings of tube10 during the winding or unwinding operations.

Each of the legs 20 and 21 of each web part 17 converge towards theadjacent ring 11 at an angle of about 10 relative to each other wherebythe angle of each leg 20 or 21 with the ring 11 or 12 is about As seenin FIG. 2, the webs 14 have their individual sides through thicknessparallel within segments 24, 25, and 26 and 17. Such design is utilizedfor the purpose of simplifying the manufacture of the tube 10 withoutadversely affecting its advantages.

It is to be understood, the tube 10 is not resilient in the sense thatit would return from the shape shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 1.Instead, when the tube is compressed to the state shown in FIG. 3, amore or less permanent deformation of the plastic takes place and, uponrelease of the compression, only minimal elongation will occur. It isalso to be appreciated that although the tube 10 has been designed sothat it is not necessary to wrap it with filter paper, nevertheless forcertain types of yarn and applications it still may be considereddesirable by manufacturers of yarn to order such tubes wrapped withfilter paper.

It is interesting to note that both in the compressed and uncompressedstate, the aligned webs 14 across common rings 11 give a heart-shapedappearance. It is further to be appreciated that although the preferredembodiment of the invention has been described, it is to be understoodthat it is capable of other adaptations and modifications within thescope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A dye tube for compressive packaged dyeing which comprises aplurality of substantially rigid rings which fall within the samecylindrical plane and are spaced apart axially along same plane, aplurality of web members spaced between adjacent of said rings, said webmembers lying substantially within said cylindrical plane, each said webmember comprising a V- shaped part having its legs directly connected toa said ring and an apex portion thereof extending away from said ring,and a U-shaped part with the legs thereof directly connected to andextending from the next adjacent ring and its centrally located portionconnected to said apex portion, said legs of said U-shaped part beingyieldable whereby, with the application of compressive force along theaxis of said cylindrical plane, said central portion is bowed towardssaid adjacent ring and said legs of said U-shaped part are bowedrelative to said apex.

2. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said legs of saidU-shaped part converge towards said adjacent ring.

3. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein an opening is providedin said V-shaped part.

4. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tube is composedof a plastic yieldable material.

5. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tube is composedof a thermal plastic material.

6. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said legs of saidU-shaped part converge towards said adjacent ring at an angle relativeto each other of about 10.

7. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said V-shaped parts aredisposed on the same side of each said ring.

8. A dye tube in accordance with claim 7 wherein said V-shaped parts arealigned axially.

9. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said V-shaped parts ofeach of said ring are aligned axially.

10. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said webs are alignedaxially, said apex portions each pointing in the same direction wherebysaid U-shaped part on one side of said ring has its legs connected tosuch said ring opposite the V-shaped part extending from such said ring,such parts together presenting an approximately heart-shapedconfiguration.

1 1. In a dye tube for compressive packaged dyeing, a pair ofsubstantially rigid rings which are contained within the samecylindrical plane and are spaced apart axially along such plane, a webmember joining said rings, said web member comprising a substantiallyrigid part which is directly connected with one of said rings and ayieldable part directly connected to and extending from the other saidring to join said first mentioned part, said yieldable part comprising apair of leg portions which are curved outwardly relative to each otherand meet where said parts join together.

12. A dye tube in accordance with claim 11 wherein said rigid part has aV-shaped configuration.

13. A dye tube in accordance with claim 12 wherein said rigid part isprovided with a Y-shaped opening therethrough.

14. A dye tube in accordance with claim 12 wherein said yieldable partis approximately U-shaped, said leg portions comprising the legs of theU.

15. A dye tube in accordance with claim 14 wherein said leg portionsconverge towards said other ring.

16. A dye tube in accordance with claim 15 wherein said leg portionsconverge at an angle relative to each other of about 10.

17. A dye tube in accordance with claim 12 wherein said rigid part andsaid yieldable part join at a location approximately midway between saidpair of rings.

1. A dye tube for compressive packaged dyeing which comprises aplurality of substantially rigid rings which fall within the samecylindrical plane and are spaced apart axially along same plane, aplurality of web members spaced between adjacent of said rings, said webmembers lying substantially within said cylindrical plane, each said webmember comprising a V-shaped part having its legs directly connected toa said ring and an apex portion thereof extending away from said ring,and a U-shaped part with the legs thereof directly connected to andextending from the next adjacent ring and its centrally located portionconnected to said apex portion, said legs of said U-shaped part beingyieldable whereby, with the application of compressive force along theaxis of said cylindrical plane, said central portion is bowed towardssaid adjacent ring and said legs of said U-shaped part are bowedrelative to said apex.
 2. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid legs of said U-shaped part converge towards said adjacent ring. 3.A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein an opening is provided insaid V-shaped part.
 4. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid tube is composed of a plastic yieldable material.
 5. A dye tube inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said tube is composed of a thermalplastic material.
 6. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidlegs of said U-shaped part converge towards said adjacent ring at anangle relative to each other of about 10*.
 7. A dye tube in accordancewith claim 1 wherein said V-shaped parts are disposed on the same sideof each said ring.
 8. A dye tube in accordance with claim 7 wherein saidV-shaped parts are aligned axially.
 9. A dye tube in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said V-shaped parts of each of said ring are alignedaxially.
 10. A dye tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said webs arealigned axially, said apex portions each pointing in the same directionwhereby said U-shaped part on one side of said ring has its legsconnected to such said ring opposite the V-shaped part extending fromsuch said ring, such parts together presenting an approximatelyheart-shaped configuration.
 11. IN A DYE TUBE FOR COMPRESSIVE PACKAGEDDYEING, A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID RINGS WHICH ARE CONTAINED WITHINTHE SAME CYLINDRICAL PLANE AND ARE SPACED APART AXIALLY ALONG SUCHPLANE, A WEB MEMBER JOINING SAID RINGS, SAID WEB MEMBER COMPRISING ASUBSTANTIALLY RIGID PART WHICH IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH ONE OF SAIDRINGS AND A YIELDABLE PART DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO AND EXTENDING FROM THEOTHER SAID RING TO JOIN SAID FIRST MENTIONED PART, SAID YIELDABLE PARTCOMPRISING A PAIR OF LEG PORTIONS WHICH ARE CURVED OUTWARDLY RELATIVE TOEACH OTHER AND MEET WHERE SAID PARTS JOIN TOGETHER.
 12. A dye tube inaccordance with claim 11 wherein said rigid part has a V-shapedconfiguration.
 13. A dye tube in accordance with claim 12 wherein saidrigid part is provided with a V-shaped opening therethrough.
 14. A dyetube in accordance with claim 12 wherein said yieldable part isapproximately U-shaped, said leg portions comprising the legs of the''''U.''''
 15. A dye tube in accordance with claim 14 wherein said legportions converge towards said other ring.
 16. A dye tube in accordancewith claim 15 wherein said leg portions converge at an angle relative toeach other of about 10*.
 17. A dye tube in accordance with claim 12wherein said rigid part and said yieldable part join at a locationapproximately midway between said pair of rings.